Goodna State School celebrates Harmony Day
WITH students hailing from Rwanda to Russia, Goodna State School is one of the most diverse schools in Queensland.
Hundreds of students, teachers and community members yesterday came together to celebrate its diversity in an annual assembly marking Harmony Day.
Prep teacher Marie Church was the guest speaker in an event that also included a haka performed by Redbank Plains State High School's Manu Toa group, helped by students from Goodna. Children also marched through the hall carrying miniature flags representing their background.
Ms Church was born in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa and was adopted by her Australian parents at the age of eight.
She said Harmony Day was a chance to come together and celebrate our differences as well as the things that bring us together.
"It's the first time I have experienced so much diversity in a school culture," Ms Church said.
More than 50 nationalities are represented among the staff and students of Goodna State School, including countries such as Chile, South Sudan, Tuvalu, Albania, Bosnia and Burundi.
"It doesn't matter who you are, where you're from, what your background is.
"It's just about coming together and celebrating our differences," Ms Church said.
"We all have many shades but we all only have one shadow."
